Wallace E. “Wally” Brown, 87, of Dubuque, passed away on Sunday, June 16, 2024.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 29, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2155 University Ave., Dubuque.  The funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m., immediately following the visitation.  Rev. Marsha Wilfong will officiate. A private burial will be in Linwood Cemetery.   Condolences may be shared at www.egelhofsiegertcasper.com.

Wallace was born on December 11, 1936, in Lawson, MO, the son of RL Jr. and Minnie (Hughes) Brown. He lived in many places while growing up, as his father was in the airline business, which kept the family moving. At a young age, he joined the Boy Scouts, which became a life-long passion for him. Wallace graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in business administration and marketing and was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. After college, he joined the Air Force and then the Air Force Reserves and moved to San Francisco, CA. While there, he worked for a wholesale distributor and met his first wife, Julia Higley. As a couple, they returned to Dubuque in the 1960s to marry and start their family, welcoming Jeffrey, Laura, and Jonathan.  Wallace purchased Higley Chemical Company soon after returning to Dubuque and served as the company’s owner and president for 36 years, retiring in 1999.

On May 23, 1988, he married Barbara Anne Smith (Hash).  Barbara had two children from a previous marriage, David and Laura “Lori”. As a new blended family, they became known as the “Hash-Browns” around Dubuque.

Wallace is best known for his positive attitude and enthusiasm, as well as his volunteer efforts. In 2007, he was honored with the Telegraph Herald First Citizen Award for his many civic contributions. He was active with the Dubuque Community Y at the state, regional, and national levels of the YMCA for over 45 years. He had many roles with the Northeastern Iowa Council and the Boy Scouts of America for over 40 years and was fortunate to review and honor approximately 650 Eagle Scouts. He served on the Linwood Cemetery Board of Trustees for over 45 years. He was an active member and served on many committees with Westminster Presbyterian Church. Other organizations he worked with include Kansas State University, the National Rivers Hall of Fame, the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, the University of Dubuque Aviation program, the Grand Theatre, Dubuque Arboretum, the American Diabetes Association, Finley Hospital Foundation, Project Concern, and the Terrace Hill Foundation.

Wallace is survived by two children, Jeffrey (Lisa) Brown and Laura (Joel) St. John, both of Scottsdale, AZ; two step-children, David (Deb) Hash, of Dubuque, and Laura “Lori” (Kris) Koberg, of Cedar Rapids; his grandchildren, Jordan and Nicole Brown, Ryan, Cole, and Nick St. John, Morgan (Ryan) Kroeze and their son, Rhett, Ava and Brynna Hash, Connor, Cade, and Kelsey Koberg; and his brother, R.L. (Joann) Brown III, of Chima, AZ.

Wallace was preceded in death by his son, Jonathan Wallace Brown; his wife, Barbara Anne Brown; and his former wife, Julia Higley Brown.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, the University of Dubuque Aviation Department, the Finley Hospital Foundation, the Dubuque Community Y, the Northeast Iowa Council Boy Scouts of America, or Hospice of Dubuque.

The family would like to sincerely thank the staff at Finley Hospital, Hawkeye Care Center, and Hospice of Dubuque for their compassionate care.